Grading System

Desciption of Grades at Postgraduate Level

(For the benefit of members of Faculty, External Examiners and Students of MSRUAS)

Sl. No.

Marks Scored

Grading

Description

1

90.1 - 100

O (Outstanding)

Exceptional breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding evidenced by own independent insight and critical awareness of relevant literature and concepts at the forefront of the discipline

Evidence of extensive and appropriate independent inquiry operating with advanced concepts, methods and techniques to solve problems in unfamiliar contexts

Cogent arguments and explanations are consistently provided using a range of media demonstrating an ability to communicate effectively in a variety of formats using a sophisticated level of the English language in an eloquent and professional manner to both technical and non‐technical audiences

A sustained academic approach to all aspects of the tasks is evidenced

Academic work extends boundaries of the disciplines and is beyond expectation of the level and may achieve or be very close to publishable or commercial standard

2

80.1 - 90

A+ (Excellent)

Excellent knowledge and understanding evidenced by some clear independent insight and critical awareness of relevant concepts some of which are at the forefront of the discipline

Arguments and explanations are provided that is well‐supported by the literature and in some cases uses a range of media demonstrating an ability to communicate effectively in a limited number of formats using own style that is suited to both technical and non‐technical audiences

A sustained academic approach to most aspects of the tasks is evidenced

One or more aspects of the academic work is beyond the prescribed rang and evidences a competent understanding of all of the relevant taught content

3

70.1 - 80

A (Very Good)

Very good knowledge and understanding is evidenced as the student is typically able to independently relate taught facts/concepts together some of which are at the forefront of the discipline; evidence of some competent independent inquiry

operating with core concepts, methods and techniques to solve familiar problems; Arguments and explanations are provided that are typically supported by the literature and in some cases may challenge some received wisdoms

Competently uses all taught media and communication methods to communicate effectively in a familiar settings; an academically rigorous approach applied to some aspects of the tasks is evidenced

Some beyond the prescribed range, may rely on set sources to advance work/direct arguments

Demonstrates autonomy in approach to learning

4

60.1 - 70

B+ (Good)

Good knowledge and understanding of the area of study balanced towards the descriptive rather than critical or analytical and mostly confined to concepts that are not at the forefront of the discipline

Evidence of some independent reading and research to advance work and inform arguments and approaches

Arguments and explanations are limited in range and depth although some are adequately supported by the literature albeit descriptively rather than critically

Competently uses at least one taught media and communication method to communicate appropriately in familiar settings

Although the approach applied to some aspects of the tasks may lack academic rigour, there are some clear areas of competence within the prescribed range

Relies on set sources to advance work/direct arguments and communicated in a way which shows clarity but structure may not always be coherent.

5

55.1 - 60

B (Above Average)

Same as above with little lower expectations

6

50.1 - 55

C (Average)

Knowledge and understanding is marginally insufficient as the student is typically only able to deal with terminology, basic facts and concepts

Adequate knowledge of concepts within the prescribed range but fails to add meaningful detail or make sufficient links between concepts and facts to adequately solve problems posed by the assessment

some ability to independently select and evaluate reading/research however there is a strong reliance on set sources and to provide descriptive and unsubstantiated arguments/methods; communication/presentation is competent in places and at a threshold level as it fails to demonstrate clarity and focus

Inability to adequately define problems and make reasoned judgements; The general approach to tasks lacks rigor and where there is competence and rigor, it is not sustained.

7

40 - 50

P (Pass)

8

Below 40

F/Ab : Fail or Absent

Knowledge and understanding is highly insufficient as the student is unable to evidence any meaningful understanding of two or more taught concepts or methods

Very limited evidence of reading and research to advance work; inadequate technical and practical skills as the student is unable to use and apply such skills to address problems or make judgements

Limited or lack of understanding of the boundaries of the discipline and does not question received wisdom

Approach to learning lacks autonomy and approach to tasks is not sustained